Alien Freak - Calista Skye Page 0,91
me. How is life as a married man? Married to an Earth female?”
We start walking again, around the perimeter of the large clearing. The monks look at us from the rubble of their tower, eating and chatting merrily by firelight.
“My existence has become a life,” Xan’tor says. “Mila has opened the world to me. It’s hard to explain. You will experience it, too, I imagine.”
“I already have,” I state. “Everything has changed. Xan’tor, this is a private matter, and none of my business. But her heat signature is unmistakable. Is your wife pregnant?”
The huge blue warrior raises his eyebrows. “She is. Impressive, Your Highness. I didn’t know those senses could be that accurate.”
“I’d be gratified to be called simply Zaroc,” I inform him. “As I have tried to explain to Averie, a prince with no people is a ridiculous thing. But then you are to be congratulated as well! Did it take much use of pharmaceuticals to accomplish?”
Xan’tor laughs. “None! We’re both astounded. And I am beyond delirious with joy, I don’t mind saying. Now what could this possibly be?”
We walk up to the petrified IruBex.
“This is my arch enemy,” I explain, “the Gurandu hunter IruBex, the cause of darkness and despair of my life until recently. Now and forever as you see him here, courtesy of Averie. And an Elder device.”
“A nightmarish creature,” Xan’tor marvels. “Now turned to stone. Well deserved, no doubt. I have heard of the Gurandu and their hunts, of course. A shame on the galaxy for allowing it.”
“Indeed. Well, it is illegal now. The Star Marshals don’t like it. So Earth has a Resistance movement, after all?”
We start walking back to the ship.
“Very much so. On Earth, it exists in secret. And outside Earth, it is still only a small beginning. But a remarkably promising one. Especially if we can convince you and your wife to join. With access to a craft like yours, our striking power would immediately be doubled. Just look at it! It’s armed like a battlecruiser!”
The two women come out of the gunship and walk towards us, smiling and laughing and pointing at us.
“They made friends quick,” I observe. “I wonder if you haven’t found a new recruit for your movement.”
“Hopefully two recruits,” Xan’tor says and gives me a glance. “We would be beyond lucky and grateful to count you among us as well. I’ve fought for causes before, Zaroc. But this cause, the freedom of Earth and what it will mean for the galaxy, will last me a lifetime.”
Averie has a happy smile on her face, a little bit flushed with excitement. It’s the finest sight I’ve seen.
“What’s so funny?” Xan’tor grunts as Mila takes his hand.
“You two,” she says without hesitation. “From a distance you look the same. Except one is bright red and the other blue. It was funny to us.”
Averie comes in to embrace me. “It’s just a joke, my love. We don’t actually think you two are funny at all.”
“You better not,” I growl. “We’re fierce warriors, not clowns. We might murder you in revenge.” I squeeze my wife until she squeaks. “But then again, maybe we won’t.”
I loosen my grip and lift her up so I can kiss her without bending down.
“You two newlyweds need some alone time,” Mila says. “And your honeymoon has started, just saying. Xan’tor and I will say hello to the monks and see if they know anything else we can use. You know where to find us, Averie.”
“Yeah,” Averie chirps, “second star to the right, then straight on till morning. I got it. See you!”
I take her hand, and we walk back to the ship while Mila and Xan’tor are loudly greeted by the monks.
“Second star to the right?” I grumble. “That makes no sense.”
Averie squeezes my hand. “It’s just a joke. From an old movie.”
“I like the last part. ‘Straight on till morning’. Did you know that you’re my Dawn?”
She looks up at me with eyes that sparkle in the moonlight. “Your dawn? How?”
“Huh. You’re a mythical creature, and you don’t even know it. See, you’re actually the Dawn for all of the Lancefer people. Those who are to come, I mean. You came from the old legends to save my people when we needed you the most.”
“That’s very poetic, Zaroc. All right, I am the dawn. It’s better than being the afternoon, anyway. And I think you are probably my dawn, too.”
We climb into the ship, and inside I take my wife in my arms again, because I